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2010 History

2010 - Urhan Win Beara

Urhan Full Value For Win

By John Bohane, Southern StarSaturday August 28th, 2010

Urhan ..............................1-11

Glengarriff .......................0-9

Urhan deservedly reclaimed the Beara junior A football championship crown after an absence of two years following this comprehensive victory recorded against last year’s champions Glengarriff at a sun drenched Cahermore last Saturday afternoon.

Urhan produced a sublime second half performance to emerge comfortable victors against a lethargic Glengarriff outfit whose expected strong challenge failed to materialise to secure their 23rd Beara junior A championship title in their illustrious and distinguished history. Urhan now proceed to a county quarter-final tie as they seek to annex the junior A county title for the first time since 1992 when they won it for the fourth time.

Urhan were full value for this victory as they dominated proceedings from the start but were never assured of victory until a goal from ‘Man of the Match’ Vinny Lehane effectively ended the game as a contest with ten minutes remaining. Urhan will now proceed into the county stages of the championship with dreams of a return to the intermediate ranks a realistic aspiration given the impressive display they produced in brushing aside the Glen challenge with a ruthless ease.

Urhan appear to have a bright future ahead of them with their strong work at underage level down through the years appearing to be reaping its rewards with several members of their successful U21 team last season pivotal figures in steering the junior team to sucess whilst the annexing of the Beara U16 title last year suggest more promising players in the offing as Urhan bid to restore former glories to this well established and famous Beara club.

Key to the Urhan success however last Saturday was former inter-county star Ciaran O’Sullivan who operating in a roving role at right half forward and belying his 40 years, still emerged as the most influential player on the Cahermore pitch with his crisp passing, intelligent movement and leadership proving key factors in inspiring Urhan to victory. When one also factors in the midfield superiority provided by ace duo James Healy and Daniel O’Dwyer, and the scoring prowess of Conchubhar Harrington and Vinny Lehane in attack it illustrates the rich strength in depth the Beara men possess at their disposal as they seek to revive former glory to a club rich in tradition.

Glengarrif who won last season’s title for the first time in their illustrious history following a dramatic victory over Ganish, failed to perform to their undoubted potential but they will reflect on a successful season which saw their U21 football claim a second succesive championship which should herald a successful junior team over the coming years whilst the continued progress of Matthew O’Shea on the Cork minor team continues to bring pride to their club. The paucity of the Glengarriff challenge in last Satudays decider is best illustrated by the startling statisitc that they notched only one point from play throughout the game and ideed that score from the cultured left foot of James Horgan only arrived in the final minute.

Urhan lived up to their pre-match billing as favourites with a bright start which enabled them to move three points clear within the opening eight minutes following points per Ciaran O’Sullivan, Conchubhar Harrington and Declan Healy to establish a deserved early Urhan advantage. Urhan were dominant in every sector in the early stages but their wasteful shooting in front of goal and their persistant fouling on the Glengarriff attackers ensured they never built up the lead their dominant play merited. Peter Murphy who was unerringly accurate from set-pieces throughout opened the Glengarriff account following a converted free after twelve minutes. Pacy corner forward Vinny Lehane who posed a constant threat to the Glengarriff rearguard registered his first point following good approach play from James Healy before a superb long range point from Beara senior panellist Conchubhar Harrington enabled his side to open up a four point lead after the opening quarter.

The subsequent successful re-deployment of Glengarriff ace Matthew O’Shea to curtail the advances of the aforementioned Harrington helped ensure Glen were more assured in their defensive duties as the half progressed and they finished the first half in the ascendency scoring four successive points per Peter Murphy (3) and James Horgan to restore parity at the interval.

Urhan started the second half with renewed focus and conviction with Conchubhair Harrington going close with a shot which rebounded off the post following a typically suring run from the dynamic centre forward. Urhan however proceeded to engage in a blistering scoring spree which yielded 1-5 in a fifteen minute spell without reply to crush any Glengarriff championship aspirations with a devastating display of clinical attacking football at its best. Ciaran O’Sullivan with two points (the second point a truly inspirational score following a long range sideline ball from 40 yards) perfectly illustraing the old age that class is permanent. James Healy, Vinny Lehane and Martin O’Neill who made an instant impact upon being introduced as a substitute midway through the second half added further points before Lehane nothced the only goal of the game finished off a typically lung busting run from Harrington with a confident close range finish. Lehane nearly added a second goal with an audacious chip which flashed inches past the post with Glengarriff custodian Danny Glavin rooted to the spot.

Glengarriff who were largely bereft of ideas from an attacking sense with ace full forward Shaun O’Sullivan being well marshalled by Urhan full back Donal O’Shea laid siege to the Urhan goal in a valiant attempt of a stirring revival but ultimately to no avail as a strong Urhan defence held firm to secure a much cherished triumph. Glengarriff added four late consolation points per Peter Murphy and James Horgan to add a tinge of respectability to the scoreboard but there was no denying Urhan their richly deserved moment of glory which moves them one step closer to penultimate county championship honours.

There were jubiliant scenes of celebration afterwards when long serving team captain Mikey O’Shea who has represented Beara at every age group throughout his illustrious career was presented with the junior A championship title by Beara Board chairman Donal O’Sullivan sparking euphoric scenes of delight amongst the large Urhan support.